If you're in the hunt for a BitTorrent client that does more than let you download large files, Vuze 4.5 (formerly known as Azureus) is a compelling application. Not only does it enable speedy downloads, it adds a slick interface, file transcoding, and remote controlfeatures not found in competing clients such as BitTorrent 7.2 (Free, 3.5 stars), uTorrent, and Deluge. Note: If you download copyrighted content, be prepared to pay the penalty. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has not only closed down torrent sites, but sued peer-to-peer server operators; the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has sent out nearly 2 million copyright infringement warnings.

Setup and Interface
The first thing you'll notice about the interface is its relative level of attractiveness; compared to the bare-bones Deluge, BitTorrent and uTorrent, the blue-and-white color scheme looks positively gorgeous. Some may argue that attractiveness has no bearing on functionality, but it's a welcome addition. Vuze is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 (and higher), Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Unfortunately, there's no support for the penguinsorry, Linux fans.

Like its competitors, Vuze's interface has a sidebar (divided into "Library," "Subscriptions," "Notifications," and "Vuze HD") and a large, main content. "Library" is where your content is stored, "Subscriptions" is where you place your RSS feed, "Notifications" displays Vuze message updates from the company blog, "Vuze HD" is a library of high-definition content from the likes of Onion News Network and Tekzilla, and "Devices" is where you can sync content to handhelds, handsets, and other gear.

Acquiring and Managing Content
BitTorrent technology works by allowing the computer that has the torrent to gather bits and piece of the desired file from other available BitTorrent users. It's this efficient process that makes downloading large files far faster than other peer-to-peer protocols that connect one PC to another lone PC.

Finding legal torrents proved difficult, but I eventually stumbled upon "Four Eyed Monsters," an independent film freely distributed by The Co-Create. Unlike BitTorrent and uTorrent, Vuze has a useful built-in search engine that lets you view torrent ratings, so you know that you're getting a good torrent. BitTorrent would be wise to adopt this search strategy for its torrent clients.

Double-clicking the file begins the torrenting process, which uses the torrent I acquired to download the necessary file data from 18 seeds (the computers from which my torrent draws data). During that time, icons located in the top toolbar that were once grayed outPause, Stop, and Removebecame available for use. At the bottom of the interface are tabs that let you see the connection speed, the number of peers, the number of trackers, and more. The 1.06 GB file downloaded in just under 4 minutes, and played back in QuickTime when I launched it.

I decided to further test Vuze 4.5 by downloading five movie files (ranging in size from 14 minutes to 95 minutes) to a home computer to replicate the everyday user experience. Downloading everything took 26 minutes over a Verizon FiOS connection; not bad considering that three of the movies were at least 84 minutes in length. Naturally, your download time will vary depending on connection speed, the number of seeders available, and other factors.

Extras
Unlike BitTorrent, Deluge, and uTorrent, Vuze prompts you to install a transcoder plug-in that lets you transfer content to a PSP or Apple device, or stream to a Tivo box, PlaysStation 3, or Xbox 360. Dragging the Four Eyed Monsters file from "Library" to "iTunes" (which is a sub-category in "Devices") began the transcoding process. It took approximately four hours for the 1 hour and 10 minutes video to be transcoded, but when I launched iTunes the movie automatically synced to my iPad and played back flawlessly. I liked that I didn't have to worry about compatibility when downloading files.
You can find a wealth of videos in the "Vuze HD" section, which lets you download files from ongoing Web series. The programming includes the like of the aforementioned Onion News Network and Tekzilla, as well as Democracy Now, The Totally Rad Show, and more. I preferred the opportunity to download these shows more so than having BitTorrent and uTorrent's App Storewhen I launch a torrent client downloading video content immediately comes to mind, not free games or antivirus.

On the topic of antivirus, that's one premium feature you get when upgrading to Vuze Plus ($24.95 per year). You also get unlimited DVD burning, which is a step up from the free version that only lets you perform one trial burn.

The Vuze Remote lets you remotely manage your torrents from another device by surfing to remote.vuze.com or from the optional Vuze Remote toolbar. The first time you set up the Vuze Remote, you'll need to establish a link between Vuze and the other device. You do so by opening the Vuze app on your desktop you wish to control, clicking Tools > Remote Pairing in the menu bar, and entering the six digit pairing code that you find there into the code space you'll find at remote.vuze.com. Using it, I could add and delete torrentsvery cool.

Should Use Vuze?
BitTorrent clients are designed to do one thing, and one thing welldownload large files at lightning speed. If you need just that, any of the BitTorrent clients (BitTorrent, Deluge, uTorrent) will get the job done. However, if you want a more feature-rich client, one that lets you transcode files and control your torrents remotely, the Editors' Choice award winning Vuze is the one to choose.